Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Sarah pov.

The house smelled like roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread, and the faint sound of laughter filled the air.

I was setting up the dining table when the doorbell rang. My friends had promised to come over for a small lunch, and even though I had planned everything carefully, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. Hosting anything felt like a big deal these days-I got tired so easily. But I missed my girls, and today felt like the perfect excuse to catch up.

"Coming!" I called out, adjusting a plate before hurrying to the door.

When I opened it, Tanya stood there with a big grin and an even bigger box wrapped in shiny paper. Behind her were Nina and Claire, both carrying smaller gift bags.

"Baby shower came early!" Tanya announced, stepping inside and kissing me on the cheek.

"Oh, come on," I said, laughing. "It's just lunch. No gifts necessary."

"Yeah, well, too late," Nina chimed in, holding up a bag decorated with tiny rattles and pacifiers. "This is happening whether you like it or not."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling. These girls always knew how to make me feel loved.

The meal was simple but delicious. Roasted chicken, a hearty salad, warm bread-it was nothing fancy, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

We sat around the table, talking and laughing like no time had passed since our last get-together.

"So," Claire started, leaning forward with a teasing smile, "any weird cravings yet? Pickles and ice cream? Peanut butter on pizza?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Nothing that crazy. Mostly fruit, honestly. Although there was this one night I really wanted mustard on crackers."

"Mustard?" Tanya asked, making a face. "That's... different."

said, grinning. "But he brought it to

shifted to their own parenting stories. Tanya, who had two toddlers, shared a hilarious tale about her three-year-old hiding her car keys in the

questions about everything from diapers to midnight feedings. Claire, the most experienced of the group, gave practical advice with

going to have an opinion about how you should do things.

to soak in every word. It felt good to hear their stories and know

house felt quiet again. I stood in the dining room, looking at the pile of gifts they'd left behind.

wiping down the table. As

were

friendships, for example. I used to go out all the time, meeting up with friends for coffee or shopping. But now, my energy was limited, and

first, I worried that the distance would strain our

if I was too tired to leave the house or if I spent half the conversation complaining

realized how lucky I

video called later in the

after I'd finished tidying up and was lounging on the couch with a glass of water, Richard walked in. He had his

to?"

eyes," he

"Why?"

"Just do it."

my hands. I heard the rustle of paper

can

a folded piece of paper resting on top of a notebook. I looked up at Richard,

"What's this?"

said, sitting down

paper and started reading. It was a

Dear Baby, it began.